> Programme Member Case Study
Rethink - Panorama House, Wickford
Rethink provides a service of support for people with mental illness to recover a better quality of life through employment related activity. An ‘outreach service’ is available at Rethinks ‘day centre’ services to provide specialist employment advice. Rethink has established in house facilities to allow members to gain accredited training in IT, numeracy, literacy, food hygiene and catering. Programme members are able to build on skills and confidence, whilst benefiting from the supportive environment of Rethink.
Programme member John was referred to Rethink through his Care Plan Coordinator. At the time John had suffered from a severe nervous breakdown which lead to him being diagnosed with Schizophrenia. He had spent ten weeks in hospital and once released had severe depression and no motivation.
Rethink enabled John to have a routine in his day. Initially John did not interact at Rethink and would spend long periods sleeping but then John begun to gain more confidence and motivation when attending Rethink and started writing for the Rethink news letter.
John now writes regular reviews for the newsletter on books, records and concerts. He also partakes in the current affairs discussions which are held every week and works every Wednesday in the Rethink reception.
John has gained part time employment since being at Rethink. He has had two voluntary work placements at Basildon District Volunteer Careers and a wildlife reserve helping in the tea shop. He gained some temporary paid employment at Basildon District Council helping to collect post, dealing with telephone enquiries and data entry.John has gained a certificate in hygiene whilst being at Rethink and is now studying an AS Level in film studies. John recently applied for two jobs at a library and as a part time assistant in an art shop. He hopes that the voluntary and temporary work he has gained along with the support of Rethink will help him in gaining paid employment.
